Commercial property managers and owners should consider how to make the most of their partnerships in order to improve the effectiveness of their building management decisions. Partnering with manufacturers allows managers to plan for improvement projects and monitor their buildings' health even from a distance. Manufacturers can provide effective property management solutions that give owners vital information and save them money.

Low slope roof penetrations can be a source of problems if not done correctly. Pipe, vent, and conduit penetrations through low slope roof assemblies can cause problems for an otherwise tight membrane, insulation, and deck design. With many intermediate layers in roof assemblies, such as a vapor retarder and cover board, there are opportunities for things not to be done correctly somewhere in the assembly. It gets even more complex when we consider that in order to use a vapor retarder, there might be an additional cementitious board above a steel deck.

Roofs work around the clock to protect commercial buildings from exposure to the elements, yet they're often easy to forget about—that is until building owners experience a problem. One way to avoid some of the most common roofing issues that occur is to schedule a regular roof inspection.

Even structurally sound roofs may show the effects of weathering and UV damage. Roof coating systems can help protect and extend the life of existing roofing systems. What kinds of roof coatings should you consider for your roof? And, just as importantly, how do you know how much coating you need for your roof?